Blade connector



Jan. 10,

W. ANGELE BLADE CONNECTOR Filed Sept. 19, 1958 ATTORNEYS 33 WILHELMANGELE,

Z INVENTOR.

United States Patent BLADE CONNECTOR Wilhelm Angele, Huntsville, Ala.,assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretaryof the Army Filed Sept. 19, 1958, Ser. No. 762,189

2 Claims. (Cl. 339-45) (Granted under Title 35, US. Code (1952), see.266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by orfor the Government for governmental purposes without the payment of anyroyalty thereon.

This invention relates to a connector or connecting device especiallyadapted for holding or connecting to flat cab-1e and particularly formaking electrical connections at the ends of flat electrical cables ortransmission lines, printed circuits, etc., which, for the purpose ofsaving weight and space are in the form of a thin, flat sheet, ribbon,tape, or strips of non-conductive base material on the surface of whicha series of conductive lines or elements of metal or other conductivematerial has been attached, bonded, or made as an integral part of thebase material for the purpose of conducting electrical energy.

Connecting flat conductive cables has heretofore been a very troublesomething to do due to the need for separately soldering or otherwiseconnecting an individual Wire to each of the conductive lines of thecable, thus forming a wire bundle from the several wires individuallyconnected, said wire bundle then being connected to a bulky pin-type orother connector, from which a second wire bundle proceeds to theadjacent flat cable where the need exists for again separately solderingor otherwise connecting each individual wire of the bundle to the properconductive line of the flat cable. The use of such means of connectingflat cables is not only time-consuming but defeats the very purpose ofweight and space saving inherent in the flat cable. However, in allcases it may not be entirely feasible to eliminate the need forseparately connected wire connections from one end of my connector .dueto controlling features of adjacent, allied, or related wire bundles,components, or equipment, in which case the use of soldered or otherconnections may be resorted to.

An object of this invention is to provide a connector or connectingdevice which is so constructed that no expanding ends or other deviationfrom the normal design or pattern of said cable is required, it beingonly necessary to cut a specified or random length of said cable from astock length or roll prior to inserting into the connector, but theconnector may also be used with cables or printed circuitry which mayhave been specifically designed for use with my connector.

Another object of this invention is to provide a connector soconstructed that the operation of the connector will impart a Wipingeifect on the contacting surfaces, said wiping effect serving to cleansaid contacting surfaces, to assure maximum reliability of electricalconnection thus made.

A further object of this invention is to provide a connector soconstructed to permit its use in making connection to an existing cablewhen it is required to make connection at some intermediate locationalong the cable without cutting the cable for the purpose of making saidconnection; said connection forming a branch from the existing cable.

A further object of this invention is to provide a connector soconstructed to permit interchanging cables, the conductive lines on saidcables varying in width, thickness, spacing, and number, and capable ofconducting various values of voltage and current, providing saidconductive lines are in mating contact with suitably spaced blades whenconnected.

To accomplish the foregoing general objects, and other more specificobjects which will hereinafter appear, my invention resides in themethod and apparatus elements, and their relation one to another, as aremore particularly described in the following specification. Thespecification is accompanied by drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation view of a connector for use in connecting oneflat cable to separately connected Wire conductors, looking in thedirection in which the fiat cable is inserted in the connector;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section of the connector on the line 2-2 ofFig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is an elevation view of a connector for use in connecting theends of two fiat cables, looking in the direction in which oneof thecables is inserted, this approach of the connector being hereinafterconveniently referred to as the front of the connector, the rear of theconnector being the opposite approach, and having an appearance similarto the front;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the connector shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 is avertical cross section of the connector on the line 55 of Fig. 3,looking in the direction of the arrows.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a connectorfor use in connecting one flat cable to separately connected wireconductors, a shaft 1, comprising an integral eccentric center portionsupported by shaft ends 2 and 2a, operates in elongated slots 13 and 13avertically inclined at or near each end of a horizontal surface onmounting base 3. Loosely mounted on shaft 1 is contact body 4 consistingof insulating material, and embedded in said contact body 4 is mountingtube 5 for the purpose of providing a bearing for shaft 1, and embeddedalso in contact body 4 is a series of thin contact blades 6, saidcontact blades consisting of electrically conductive material, each saidblade performing a similar conductive function, but each having aslightly different shape to permit use of a staggered arrangement toincrease the electrical leakage path and also to provide sufiicientspace or clearance for making external connections thereto.

A lug 16, clearly shown in Fig. 2, is provided integral with eachcontact blade 6 for the purpose of soldering, or otherwise attaching, awire or other conductor.

(The lower portion of mounting base 3 houses pressure pad 7, consistingof a resilient material upon which the cable 8, when connected, rests incontact with the series of contact blades 6.

Operating in grooves 37 and 37a in the upper sidespor tions of mountingbase 3 and exerting pressure on contact body 4 is spring 9 consisting ofone or more pieces depending on the extent of pressure desired orrequired, said spring being the controlling factor in the amount ofpressure applied, the clamping action of the con nector being prefixedor predetermined by the physical characteristics of the said spring. Thecenter portion of shaft 1 which is eccentric with respect to ends 2 and2a does not apply a downward pressure on contact bodyv-4 inasmuch aselongated slots 13 and "13a do not restrain vertical travel of shaftends 2 and 2a. The eccentric portion functions to lift contact body 4against spring 9 when shaft 1 is rotated to bottom shaft ends 2 and 2a,This serves to raise contact body 4 allowing cable 8 to be inserted orwithdrawn.

Slots 12 in end of shaft 1 enable rotation of said shaft by means ofscrew driver or other appropriate tool. In

some applications of the connector it may be desirable to rotate theshaft by means of a pin inserted in a hole in the end of the shaft inlieu of using a screw driver and slot, or a lever may be attached to theend of the shaft for the purpose of obtaining proper rotation. However,rotation may be obtained by any appropriate method and is not limited toany of the methods described.

Mounting lugs are located on mounting base 3 and may be arranged on theconnector to permit mounting vertically, horizontally, or at anyrequired angle or position.

Holes 11 in mounting lugs are conveniently placed for mounting purposesbut may be omitted if other means of mounting are appropriate.

In Fig. 2, cable end stop 14 is fastened to the mounting base 3 by meansof screw 15, but may be attached by any other appropriate method, or maybe made integral with mounting base 3, or may be made a part of pressurepad 7.

In the operation of the connector shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the contactbody 4, in which the series of contact blades 6 are embedded, is liftedfrom the pressure pad 7 by rotating shaft 1, the lifting being eifectedby the operation of the eccentric portion of shaft 1 supported by shaftends 2 and 2a in slots 13 and 13a, the top of the contact body 4 beingin contact with and exerting pressure against spring 9.

With the contact body 4 in the lifted position a clearance existsbetween the Contact surfaces of the embedded contact blades 6 and thepressure pad 7 sufficiently large to permit entry of cable 8 which is soinserted with the conductive lines or elements facing the contactblades. The cable 8 is inserted into the connector to the point wherethe end of said cable comes to rest against cable end stop 14 at therear of mounting base 3. Shaft 1 is then rotated, choosing the directionwhich will, as the contact body 4 descends under the exerted pressure ofspring 9, cause the contact blades 6 to move with respect to spring 9and mounting base 3 toward the rear of mounting base 3 as the bladescome in contact with cable 8, thus imparting a slight push to the cable8 causing the position of the cable to be maintained against the cableend stop 14. This combination of rotating and pushing motion of thecontact blades 6 produced by the eccentric center portion of shaft 1 asit is rotated by shaft ends 2 and 2a which are laterally restrained inthe slots 13 and 13a, produces a wiping effect at the point of contactof the contact blades 6 and the conductive lines or elements of cable 8,said wiping effect serving to clean the contacting surfaces and assuringproper contact being made. The pressure pad 7, between the underside ofthe cable 8 and the mounting base 3 serves the purpose of assuringproper contact being made and maintained with all the blades 6, and theappropriate conductive lines or elements of the cable 8, and also topermit full use of all of the available exerted pressure of spring 9against contact body 4 to maintain contact and to prevent accidental orforcible removal of cable 8 without first relieving the pressure byrotating shaft 1.

In disconnecting or removing the cable 8 from the connector, the shaft 1is rotated, bringing the contact body 4 to the lifted position. Thecable can then be removed from the connector.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in 'Figs. 3, 4 and 5, aconnector for connecting two flat cables, a shaft 17 comprising anintegral eccentric center portion supported by shaft ends 18 and 18aoperates in slots 19 and 19a at or near each end of mounting base 20,and a shaft 21 also comprising an integral eccentric center portionsupported by a shaft ends 22 and 22a operates in slots 23 and 23a at ornear each end of mounting base 20. Loosely mounted on shafts 17 and 21is a single contact body 24 consisting of insulating material, andembedded in said contact body 24 is mounting tube 25 for shaft 17 andmounting tube 25a for shaft 21, for the purpose of providing bearingsfor shafts 17 and 21. Embedded also in the contact body 24 is a seriesof thin contact blades 26, to transfer current from the cable insertedin the front of the connector to the cable inserted in the rear of theconnector, said contact blades consisting of electrically conductivematerial, each said blades performing a similar conducting function, buteach alternate blade having a different shape to permit use of astaggered arrangement to increase the electrical leakage path.

The lower portion of the mounting base 20 houses pressure pad 27,consisting of resilient material, upon which the cable 28 connected tothe front of the connector rests in contact with the series of contactblades 26, and cable 29 in the rear of the connector rests in contactwith the rear ends of the series of blades 26. Pressure pad 27 has araised portion 30 which acts as a stop against which cables 28 and 29come to rest as each said cable is inserted into the respective openingsof the connector.

Operating in grooves in the upper side portions of the mounting base 20and exerting pressure on contact body 24 is spring 31 operating over theend of contact body 24 through which shaft 17 extends, and spring 32operating over the end of contact body 24 through which shaft 21extends. Springs 31 and 32 consist of one or more pieces depending onthe extent of pressure desired physical characteristics of said springs.

Slots 33 in the ends of shafts 17 and 21 enable rotation of said shaftsby means of a screw driver or other appropriate tool.

Mounting lugs 34 are located on mounting base 20 and may be arranged onthe connector to permit mounting vertically, horizontally, or at anyrequired angle or position.

Holes 35 in mounting lugs are conveniently placed for mounting purposesbut may be omitted if other means of mounting are appropriate.

In the operation of the connector shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the contactbody 24, in which the series of contact blades 26 are embedded, islifted from pressure pad 27 by first rotating shaft 17, operating innarrow slots 19 and 19a, and then rotating shaft 21 operating in wideslots 23 and 23a, the lifting being effected by the operation of thecenter eccentric portions of shafts 17 and 21 the top of the contactbody 24 being in contact with and exerting pressure against springs 31and 32. The purpose of the different size slots is discussed below.

With the contact body 24 in the lifted position a clearance existsbetween the contact surfacm of the embedded contaet blades 26 and thepressure pad 27 suiticiently large to permit entry of cable 28 into thefront opening of the connector and cable 29 into the rear opening of theconnector.

Cable 28 is first inserted in the front of the connector, or that end inwhich the narrow slots 19 exist, with the conductive lines or elementsfacing the contact blades, to the point where the end of said cable 28comes to rest against the raised portion 30 of pressure pad 27. Shaft 17is then rotated, choosing the direction which will, as the contact body24 descends under the exerted pressure of spring 31, cause the contactblades 26a and 26b to move toward the center of the connector as thesaid contact blades come in contact with cable 28, thus imparting aslight push to the cable 28 causing the position of said cable 28 to bemaintained against the raised portion 30 of pressure pad 27. Thiscombination of rotating and pushing motion of the series of contactblades 26 as the shaft 17 is rotated by the eccentrics 18 in the slots19 produces a wiping effect at the point of contact of the blades 26 andthe conductive lines or elements of cable 28, said wiping effect sewingto clean the contacting surfaces and assuring proper contact being made.

With cable 28 firmly gripped in the front of the connector, cable 29 isinserted in the rear of the connector with the conductive lines orelements facing the contact blades 26 to the point where the end of saidcable 29 comes to rest against the raised portion 30 of the pressure pad2'7. Shaft 21 is then rotated, choosing the direction which will, as thecontact body 24 descends under the exerted pressure of spring 32, causethe contact blades 26 to move toward the center of the connector as thesaid contact blades come in contact with cable 29, thus imparting aslight push to the cable 29 causing the position of the said cable 29 tobe maintained against the raised portion 30 of pressure pad 27. Thiscombination of rotating and pushing motion of the contact blades 26effected by the eccentric center portion of shaft 21 as it is rotated inslots 23 and 23a produces a wiping effect at the point of contact of thecontact blades 26 and the conductive lines or elements of the cable 29,said wiping effect serving to clean the contacting surfaces and assuringproper contact being made. The pushing motion is necessarily less thanin the case of that caused by shaft 17 since the ends of shaft 19 areonly slightly restrained by slots 23 and 23a which are larger than slots19 and 19a which restrain shaft 17. If this were not the case asubstantial lateral movement inward on cable 29, after cable 28 isengaged, would push outward on cable 28 and perhaps release cable 28.

The pressure pad 27, between the underside of cables 28 and 29 and themounting base 20 serves the purpose of permitting proper contact beingmade and maintained with all the contact blades 26 and the appropriateconductive lines or elements of the cables 28 and 29, and also to permitfull use of all of the available exerted pressure of springs 31 and 32against contact body 24 in order to maintain contact and to preventaccidental or forcible removal of cables 28 and 29 without firstrelieving the pressure by rotating shafts 17 and 21.

The purpose of the wide slots 23 and 23a is to provide adequateclearance for shaft ends 22 and 22a during rotation; contact body 24pivoting on shaft 17 without releasing the contact of contact blades 26and cable 28.

In disconnecting or removing the cables from the connector, cable 29should preferably be removed first; the shaft 21 is rotated, bringingthe rear end of contact body 24 to the lifted position. Cable 2? canthen be easily removed from the connector while a firm grip ismaintained on cable 28. Cable 28 may subsequently be removed by rotatingshaft 17 thereby lifting the remainder of contact body 24 permittingremoval of cable 28.

It is not absolutely necessary that cable 29 be removed first. If cable28 is removed first sufiicient clearance exists in slots 23 and 23a topermit shifting of shaft 21 in slots 23 and 2311, the pivoting ofcontact body 24 then being accompanied by a slight sidewise shifting ofshaft 21 in slots 23 and 23a without loss of contact between contactblades 26 and cable 29.

when connecting two cables at right angles to each other is similar tothat described above, the connector being modified to suit requiredconditions.

A change in the direction of rotation of any of the shafts with integraleccentrics in any of the above described connectors will produce thedesirable result that a pull on the connected cable tends to furtherrotate said shaft and eccentrics in a direction that will increase theclamping action on said cable without eliminating the desirable featureof utilizing the wiping effect previously described.

While I have shown and described several embodiments of my invention itwill be understood that these have been chosen for the purpose ofillustration only and that I do not desire to be limited to the detailsof construction shown and described, for obvious modifications willoccur to a person skilled in the art.

While the foregoing is a description of the preferred embodiment, thefollowing claims are intended to include those modifications andvariations that are within the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a connector for interconnecting two rnulticonductor fiat cables, amounting base, a contact body having interconnecting contact blades witha first contact region adapted to make contact with the conductive linesof a first flat cable and a second contact region adapted to makecontact with a second fiat cable having a matching set of conductivelines, said cables being inserted at opposite ends of the connector,first and second shafts positioned in slots in said mounting base, saidfirst shaft comprising an eccentric link to said first contact regionand said second shaft comprising an eccentric link to said secondcontact region, means to rotate said shafts, a resilient pressure padconnected to said mounting base for supporting said cables, first andsecond springs supported by said mounting base and respectively exertinga clamping force against said first and second contact regions forclamping said cables between said pressure pad and said contact blades,said clamping force being relieved when said shafts are rotated to arelease position.

2. The connector set forth in claim 1 further comprising a projectionabove said pressure pad intermediate between said opposite ends to limitthe travel of each of said cables.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,286,812 Keefe June 16, 1942 2,703,854 Eisler Mar. 8, 1955 2,730,683Ayres et al. Jan. 10, 1956 2,857,577 Vanderpool Oct. 21, 1958 2,865,003Harmon Dec. 16, 1958 FORElGN PATENTS 625,388 Great Britain June 27, 1949

